MMI is committed to research in medical imaging.

In the 2015/16 financial year, MMI contributed $1M to support imaging research, growing to $1.15M in 2016/17 and $1.25M in the last financial year.

MMI remains on the cutting-edge of medical imaging by actively participating in industry-led and academic research. We provide services and support for over 70 industry-led clinical trials and conduct pure academic studies from universities across the greater Sydney basin. Furthermore, we conduct our own research internally to raise new standards in image quality and translate research techniques into standard clinical practice. MMI is uniquely placed to conduct translational research in a variety of fields including oncology, dementias (Alzheimer’s, Vascular, Frontoparietal, mild cognitive impairment), Parkinson’s disease, movement disorders, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Strong industry relationships with GE and Siemens provides access and support for emerging technologies, with MMI recognised as the global GE reference site for cardiac imaging.

Clinical Trials Services

MMI has extensive medical imaging experience with industry-led pharmaceutical clinical trials. Conducting imaging for over 70 clinical trials, MMI is accredited with multiple central readers. Quality assurance is regulated by our standard operating procedures. We offer whole body imaging across all modalities (CT, MRI, PET, Nuclear Medicine, Ultrasound, X-Ray) backed by state-of-the-art technology built to meet Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards. Our strong working relationship with PET radiopharmaceutical manufacturer Cyclotek Pty Ltd enables access to an expanding list of PET radiopharmaceuticals. These qualities have resulted in MMI’s selection as the only site in the Southern Hemisphere to participate in the prestigious PPMI study

MMI understands the clinical landscape and appreciates crucial trial timelines, which drives our scheduling flexibility. Our dedicated research team is led by a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with extensive knowledge of good research practices. We strive to lead the way in medical imaging.

Research Projects

Scanning out of the box— unwrapping mummies.

MMI has quite a liberal view on what we consider to be an appropriate subject to scan. We’ve scanned many unusual items including rocks, pottery, and fossils. So when we were contacted by The Nicholson Museum at The University of Sydney and asked if we’d be interested in scanning their Egyptian mummies, we jumped at the chance.

On the 10th of December 2017, Dr Jamie Fraser and his team brought their amazing collection of 3 mummies and an entire sarcophagus to MMI. The sarcophagus had been in The University of Sydney’s possession from around 1850, and it was expected to be “robbed out” and therefore empty. So, when the high-resolution computed tomography scan conducted at MMI showed a set of lower limbs and feet still in their wrapping, it created quite a stir. It even made the news.

In 2012, MMI was selected as the only site in the Southern Hemisphere to participate in the prestigious, international Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI). MMI was selected because of its advanced research programs in MRI and PET, its research and technical expertise, and its convenient location to Macquarie University Hospital.

PPMI, established by American actor Michael J Fox, is a landmark observational clinical study to comprehensively evaluate cohorts using advanced imaging, biologic sampling, and clinical and behavioural assessments to identify biomarkers of Parkinson’s disease progression.

First 2HG spectroscopy investigation in the Southern Hemisphere

In early 2017, MMI conducted the first 2HG magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) investigation of a brain tumor in the Southern Hemisphere. The presence of mutations of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) has been reported within brain tumors (gliomas) and has significant implications for the patient’s prognosis. These mutations have been associated with the accumulation of 2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG) within the tumor. 2HG MRS is a ground breaking, non-invasive method which can measure the accumulation of 2HG within the tumor as an indicator of IDH mutations.

Together with our research partners, MMI is developing this technique to provide improved diagnostic and prognostic accuracy to benefit patient care. It is hoped that the development of a non-invasive, cost effective, more readily available method to investigate tumors will lead to prompt, individualised treatment schedules.

Research Capabilities

All of the scanning modalities at MMI are available for research purposes. For more information on our scanners and additional equipment, please visit https://mind.net.au/res-cap/